Can dogs get depressed? Can cats be schitzophrenic? What about a neurotic octopus or a manic depressive obsessive compulsive owl? Do animals get mental disorders that are different from humans?
2007-03-06 16:54:50 · 6 answers · asked by Link 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
From personal experience, I can tell you that dogs and cats can get neurotic. Three of our five animals had complicated lives before they came to us, and they show signs of it to this day. I also boarded with a lady who had an inbred cat who would hide all the time -- I don't think there was any abuse involved, just that the cat had these natural insticts that were on the weird side.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a whole gamut of psychological disorders in animals. But, those disorders aren't very useful, I think, to wild animals so they tend to get culled. (-: Or they are able to avoid scientists very easily!
2007-03-06 17:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by Madame M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly think so. I have 4 cats I've had since kittenhood and each one has a different temperment despite roughly the same treatment. I also had a cat we adopted from a shelter as an adult and my sister worked for years at a shelter-if you've ever worked with an abused animal or lived with one, there can be no doubt in your mind that they suffer from PTSD just like humans. I only wish we knew how to treat them for it, as consistent love and safety sure helps, but often it just isn't enough and the symptoms never leave.
2007-03-07 01:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by Opester 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen a neurotic bunch of penguins before,a t the Newport Aquarium in Ohio/Kentucky area.
There was this one penguin who was maybe thinking that the water was way too cold. It kept walking to the water's edge sticking it's foot into the water and then shacking all over and walking away.
This penguin was unaware that there was a growing group of penguins behind him and on the fifth or sixth time that he checked the water temperature... the others pushed him into the water!
It was hilarious, well I'm sure not for the anal retentive one.
2007-03-07 02:45:47 · answer #3 · answered by Guitarist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an expert in this field (who on Yahoo Answers is?), but I can tell you that domestic pets can develop psychological disorders. Some breeds are even predisposed to certain problems.
In fact, my sister - who works as a veterinary technician - had one of her dogs on "puppy prozac" because the dog chewed rocks and was in danger of ruining its teeth. Apparently anti-anxiety drugs aren't just popular with adults, they're also commonly prescribed for Fluffy and Fido.
I wonder if medical marijuana wouldn't work better?
2007-03-07 01:27:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
on animal 911 they have people evaluate the animals disposition. i think my dog has some nervous sometimes stemming from her past.
2007-03-07 03:44:22 · answer #5 · answered by cera_chaos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My fiances ex wife suffers from mad cow disease. Does that count?
2007-03-07 01:02:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋